Refrigerating apparatus



- y 1939- c. F. HENNEY .REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 21.

2 Sheets-Sheet l July 18, 1939. c. F. HENNEY REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 21, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 {I IIIIIIII ATTORNEY- Patented July 18,1939

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Charl Gen F. Henney, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to al Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a

15 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigeration.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved air conditioning system for railway car and other enclosures.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: Fig. l is a diagrammatic plan for conditioned air circulation in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of another type of air circulation;

Fig. 3 is another diagrammatic plan view of another type of air circulation;

""Fig. 4 is still another plan view of a different type of air circulation Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic vertical cross-section of a portion of Fig. 1; I

Figs 6, 7 and 8 are diagrammatic transverse cross-sections of air ducts applicable to the modifications of Figs. '2 and 3;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing a refrigerating cycle applicable to Figs. 1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical controls for Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic showing of an air cooling refrigerant coil applicable to all of the 30 modifications.

Air for a railway car or the like may be conditioned and discharged into the passenger space of a railway car by providing a recirculated air cooling unit l0 at one end of the car and a fresh air cooling unit' H at the other end of the car. These units may be located above the level of the normal head room in said passenger space. These units are adapted to cool the air and discharge it through overhead ducts l2 and I3 ar- 40 ranged along the center and top of the car with suitable outlets along the sides or bottom of the duct. In either case, the cooling units may include motor driven blowersand refrigerant evaporators or coils through which the air is blown 45 by the blowers before being discharged into the ducts l2 and I3. In the case of unit lo, the motor l4 may drive two blowers I5 and H5 having air intakes at the sides and discharging into a casing H within which a refrigerant evaporator. 22 30 of any approved type may be provided. In the case of unit I I, a motor l8 may drive a blower f9 through the casing 20 which contains an evaporator 2| of any desired type.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, the car 35 may be provided with an overhead air conditioning compartment having recirculated air inlets 3| and 32. The airfrom these inlets enters a blower 33 driven by a motor 34, and is discharged into the casing 35 containing a refrigerant coil 36. The air cooled by this coil is dis- 5 charged through the duct 31 into the upper part of the car, the duct 31 being placed in the overhead space. Fresh air passes through a filter 38 into a blower 39 and is discharged into a casing 4|l-containing a refrigerant evaporator 4|. The 10 air cooled by this evaporator is discharged through the duct 42 into the upper portion of the car.

The ducts 31 and 42 may be made as shown in Fig-6, in which case the duct 31 discharges along 15 one side of the car and the duct 42 discharges along the other side. The ducts 31 and 42 may be made as indicated in Fig. '7, in which case the duct 31 discharges the major portion of airalong the left hand side, and a minor portion along the 20 right hand side, while the duct 42 discharges along the right hand side. In this case the combined flaw along the right hand side is balanced volumetrically to equal that of the left hand side. If a duct as shown in Fig. 8 is desired, the cooled air discharge may be substantially as described with respect to Fig. 6, and return air may be returned to the cooling compartment through the duct 43 which extends along the length of the passenger compartment in lieu of openings 3| 30 and 32.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, twoair conditioning compartments 5|l.and 5| are provided. The compartment 50 is adapted to cool recirculated air and the compartment 5| is adapted to cool fresh air. The motor 52 drives blowers 53 and 54. Recirculated air enters the compartment 50 and from thence through the blowers 54 into a casing 55 containing an evaporator 56, and the cooled air is discharged into the duct 31a. Fresh air enters through a filter 51 into the compartment 5|. From thence it enters the blowers 58 and 59 driven by the motor 60. The air is forced through a casing 6| having an evaporator 62, and the cooled air is discharged into the duct 42a. The ducts 31a and 42a may be of similar construction as duct 31 and 42 and may have transverse cross-sections as indicated in Figs. 6, '7 and 8.

The evaporators used in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 may be connected to suitable refrigerant circulating means. In Figs. 9 and 10, a refrigerating system is shown which may be used to circulate refrigerant through the evaporators shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; but the reference characters have been applied in Figs. 9 and 10 to correspond to Fig. 1, it being understood that similar controls and refrigerating apparatus may be connected to the evaporators, blowers, etc., of Figs. 2 and 3. In applying the invention to Fig. l, a refrigerant liquefying unit 60 may be placed anywhere in the car, preferably underneath the floor thereof or in any other compartment provided. The liquefying unit may include a motor 6| driving a compressor 62 and condenser fan 63. The compressor 62 discharges into a condenser 64 having a receiver 65. Liquid refrigerant flows through the line 66 to the branches 61 and 68 leading respectively to the recirculated refrigerant evapoe rator 22 and the. fresh air evaporator 2|. The liquid refrigerant flowing through the branch 61 passes the automatic expansion valve 69 and returns through the suction line 10 to the commonsuction line H. Liquid refrigerant flowing through the liquid line 68 flows through the solenoid valve 12 and automatic expansion valve 13 into the coil 2| and the evaporated refrigerant returns through the suction line 14 to thecompressor 60. H may be provided with an automatic pressure regulating valve 15 which automatically throt tles the line H whenever the suction pressure tends to be reduced below a predetermined limit. This predetermined limit is preferably selected so that moisture removed from the air cannot freeze on the coils 2| or 22, and the temperature of the coils is thus reduced only sufficiently to condense the moisture in the air to liquid and not to freeze it.

The electrical controls for the system are shown in Fig. 10. Thus the car may be provided with a generator driven from the axle of the car, this generator being provided with the usual cut-out 8| which disconnects the generator from the storage battery 82 whenever the car speed falls below a predetermined limit. The generator 80 is provided with the usual voltage regulation to charge the battery 82 properly at all permissible car speeds. A thermostat, humidostat or the like 83 is placed in the passenger car space, or in a recirculated air duct, and controls a relay 84. When the temperature in the passenger compartment rises to a predetermined limit, the thermostat 83 closes thus energizing the relay 84 and startingthe compressor motor 6|. The compressor motor continues to operate until the temperature in the passenger compartment is reduced to a predetermined temperature at which the thermostat 83 opens thus deenergizing the relay and stopping the motor 6|. The blower motors I4 and I8 are placed under the control of manual switches. 85 and 86 and can be made to run continuously as long as desired. A thermostat, humidostat or the like 81 is placed where it is responsive to the temperature of the outside atmosphere or uncooled fresh air. Thus it may be placed under the car or any place outside of the car where direct sun rays will not strike it.

It may also be placed in the fresh air intake inside of the fresh air cooling compartment which is representative of outside temperature or humidity conditions. This thermostat is preferably so calibrated that when the outside temperature falls below a predetermined limit, it opens and energizes the solenoid valve 12. This closes the valve 12 and prevents liquid refriger ant from flowing to the evaporator 2|. When the outside temperature rises above a predetermined limit, the thermostat 81 opens the valve 12 and supplies refrigerant to evaporator 2| If desired, the common suction line From the above it will be seen that whenever the temperature in the passenger compartment rises to a predetermined limit where refrigeration is required, the thermostat 83 starts to operate the refrigerant liquefying unit and causes refrigeration to be provided at least to evaporator 22. If the outside temperature is relatively high, so that the thermostat 81 is closed,

then refrigeration will also be provided at the evaporator 2|, also. When the outside temperature falls, refrigeration at 2| is stopped by the thermostat 8]. The blower l9 continues to operate, however, and introduces uncooled fresh air into the passenger compartment, this uncooled fresh air tending to prevent the temperature in the passenger compartment from becoming uncomfortable on mild days.

The system shown in Fig. 9 mayalso be applied to Fig. 2, it being understood that the evaporator 36 is to be substituted for the evaporator 22 and the evaporator 4| is substituted for the evaporator 2|. Likewise, with respect to Fig. 3, the evaporator 46 is substituted for the evaporator 22 and the evaporator 62 is substituted for the evaporator 2|. The corresponding motors and necessary valves, controls, etc.,'in Figs. 2 and 3 are to be supplied in a manner corresponding to the disclosure in Figs. 9 and 10.

Both the fresh air and recirculated air cooling evaporators may be of the type diagrammatically shown in Fig. 11. This type of evaporator is adapted to use the unexpanded liquid refrigerant to reheat slightly the cooled air, thus tempering it and at the same time providing for maximum air drying. The liquid refrigerant enters at 90 and passes through an air heating coil 9|.

Thereafter the refrigerant passes through a solenoid valve 92, if such a valve is necessary, and thereafter passes through the automatic expansion valve 93. The expanded refrigerant thence enters the lower header 94 and is distributed to the serpentine coils 95 having longitudinal parallel fins 95a having their discharge portions connected to the header 96, the evaporated refrigerant passing out through theevaporated refrigerant line 91. The automatic expansion valve 93 is of the type that automatically opens when the suction pressure is reduced below a selected pressure. Also a thermostatic bulb 99 is placed near the suction line which automatically throttles the valve whenever the refrigerating effect tends to overflow into the suction line. The blower I00 forces air over the evaporator as indicated by the arrows. The air is cooled by refrigerant flowing through the coils 95 where the air has its the blower I02 into the passenger compartment |03. If desired the discharge of the blower I02 maybe directed towards a recirculated air inlet I04. The'recirculated air inlets I Mend I05 are connected to an air conditioning compartment I06 placed in the upper part of the car. The

. blowers I01 andf|08 are driven by the. motor I09 and discharge into casing 0 provided with an evaporator The cooled air is discharged by an overhead conduit 2 into the compartment I03. The blower I02 is driven by a motor H3. The evaporator III is connected to a suitable refrigerant liquefying unit such as previously de scribed and energized from the usual storage battery along with the motors Hi9 and H3.

In all the modifications a steam heating coil may be placed in boththe recirculated air and fresh air units. One such coil is indicated at lllla.

While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. The method of refrigerating a space which comprises continuously circulating air to and from said space through a first cooling zone adjacent one end of said space, controlling the cooling in said zone in accordance with air conditions in said space, continuously circulating fresh air through a second cooling zone adjacent the other end of said space into said space, and controlling the cooling in said second zone in accordance with outside air conditions.

2. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having itsinlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh air cooling unitclocated above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside of said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, y

and means for controlling said fresh air unit in response to temperature changes in the'outside air.

3. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a

fresh air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside of said Vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, means for controlling the cooling action in said recirculated air cooling unit'in accordance with air conditions in said space, and temperature responsive means for controlling the cooling action in said fresh air cooling unit.

4. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normahhead room in said space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside of said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, means for controlling the cooling action in said fresh air cooling unit in accordance with fresh air conditions.

5. A vehicle having a passenger space,-a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh,air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside of said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, means for controlling the cooling action in said recirculated air cooling unit in accordance with air conditionsin said space, and means for zone discharging adjacent one end of said compartment, and independently circulating fresh air through a second cooling zone xdischarging adjacent the other end of said compartment into said compartment.

'7. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh,air cooling unit located. above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside of said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, means for controlling the cooling action in said recirculated air cooling unit in accordance with air conditions in said space, and a single conduit for distributing the air provided with one passageway for the fresh air and a different passageway for the recirculated air.

8. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its.

inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside of 'said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, temperature responsive means, for controlling the cooling action in said recirculated air cooling unit, anda single conduit for distributing the air provided with one passageway for the fresh air and a different passageway for the recirculated air.

9. The method of distributing conditioned air in a passenger compartment of a vehicle which comprises discharging a first stream of conditioned recirculated air and a second stream of conditioned fresh air into said compartment from opposite sides respectively of a centrally disposed longitudinally extending duct located in the upper part of the vehicle.

a 10. The method of refrigerating a passenger space in a vehicle which comprises continuously circulating air to and from said space through a first cooling zone, controlling the cooling in said zone in accordance with air conditions in said space, independently circulating fresh air through a second cooling zone into said space, and controlling the cooling in said second zone in response to changes in temperature of the outside air.

' 11. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal headroom insaid space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space having its inlet connected to the outside of the vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, and a single conduit for distributing the air provided with one passageway for the fresh air and a different passageway for the recirculated air.

12. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to. said space, a fresh air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connectedto the outside of said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, and means for reheating the air leaving one of said cooling units.

13. A vehicle having a passenger space, a recirculated air cooling unit above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet and its outlet connected to said space, a fresh air cooling unit located above the level of the normal head room in said space and having its inlet connected to the outside 01 said vehicle and its outlet connected to said passenger space, and means for reheating the air leaving one of said cooling units, said means comprising an air heating coil through which unexpanded liquid refrigerant is caused to circulate.

14. The method of conditioning air for an enclosure which comprises circulating a stream of conditioned recirculated air into said enclosure,

circulating a separate stream of fresh air into said enclosure, conditioning said fresh air at least part of the time, and controlling the conditioning of said fresh air in accordance with one function of the psychrometric condition of the unconditioned fresh air.

15. The method of distributing streams of conditioned recirculated air and conditioned fresh air which comprises discharging said conditioned recirculated air and said conditioned fresh air into the compartment to be cooled from separate discharge outlets and conveying the fresh air in the unmixed condition into widely separated portions of the compartment. 

